When I was 21, I entered the convent…..
….well... not exactly….. I was a day student at the Vincent d’Indy Music School
run by the Sisters of the Mother House of Congregation Nom de Jesus Marie.
It wasn’t long before we fell madly in love with each other.
But it took a learning curve before we got there!
"Dear Sister Stephane I must apologize to you. I'm not trying to seduce the young priests that visit the Convent. It's just that I can't wash my lamb's wool sweaters without shrinking them!" “Dear Sister Stephane, Thank you for sending the priest to convert me.
I must say i took great care to caution him. “Father, If you succeed in converting me, that would be the end of the Catholic Church!”
Sister Stephane, you will be most happy that I saved the Catholic Church.
He took my advice very seriously!” “Dear Sister Stephane, I was so flattered that you invited me to join the procession in the Chapel
honoring the memory of our dearly beloved Sister Max
You would have been proud of me.
I rose to the occasion…actually I “kneeled” to the occasion.
But more in a moment. I had no problem when we were in the pews and getting on our knees.
I must admit I was not to the manner born, being born into a religious Jewish family. Then again, I didn’t think the Jewish God would have been offended.
Kneeling is not a sin punishable by death.
But then came the test of conscience.
When I was in the procession leading out of the Chapel, my heart sank.
I was faced with a bleak reality.
When it came to my turn I would have to kneel in front of the alter, cross myself,
and then join the procession out. Can you just imagine in what turmoil I was thrown?
Did crossing mean instant conversion?
What would my mother say?
My father?
Would they drop dead of the shame? But at that very same moment. I was struck with a moment of revelation:
“You are in a procession.
You’re honoring Sister Max whom you adored.
Don’t make an asshole of yourself and spoil the procession.
Just do what you’re supposed to.
Kneel and cross yourself!” Sister Stephane. You would have been proud of me!
I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. But to this day I wonder,
“Is there a correct way of crossing yourself?
From right to left? Or left to right?"
y
